Cigar machine



Sept. 9, 1941. J. F. HALSTEAD CIGAR MACHINE Filed D60. 22, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INV E NTZZ ATTORNEY Sept. 9, 1941.

J. F. HALSTEVAD CIGAR MACHINE Filed 055. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m NNN F N .QWN 3 NE i ME QN E Lm m ..INV,ENTOR we r/mam 1 ATTORNEAY Sept. 9, 1941.

J. F. HALSTEAD CIGAR MACHINE Filed. pe 22; 1936 4 Sheqis-Sheet 4- J ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNEE ' CIGAR MACHINE John F. hlalstead, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, acorporation of New Jersey Application December 22, 1936, Serial No. 117,180

59 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines, and more particularly to bunch making mechanism, and especially to charge forming devices therefor.

In certain types of fresh work or long filler cigar machines heretofore in use it has been customary to feed the filler tobacco by means of a feeding mechanism which included a feed channel having spaced belts for maintaining the tobacco fed in a stream of constant width, cut it into sections of predetermined length, and then feed the cut sections to bunch charge measuring and cutting mechanisms. Due to the abutting arrangement of the lengths being advanced to the cutting mechanism, bunch charges were often formed partly from one section and partly from an abutting section, which sometimes resulted in the presence of strings or undesirable slivers of tobacco in the bunch charge. At times it has also been rather difficult to produce bunches free from longitudinal side depressions which may be formed when relatively thick charges are rolled into bunches.. A possible cause of this is that the edges of this type of charge must be brought together in the loop of the Chianti belt in an attempt to make the bunch assume as round a form as possible. Nevertheless with all this effort some bunches have had these longitudinal depressions along their sides.

The speed and skill of the operator in placing leaves in the feed mechanism have been important factors in the rapid formation of bunches, since variations in the height of tobacco issuing from the feed have been reflected in the thickness of the lengths cut from the stream of fed tobacco, and have had an effect upon the uniformity of the bunches formed from this tobacco.

In the present invention. the personal element has a substantially lessened effect upon the uniformity of the charges being formed. While well known types of feed mechanisms may be used, means for assuring uniform charges have been provided such that each bunch charge will be substantially unvarying with the next formed; This has been accomplished by feeding lengths of tobacco cut from the stream of tobacco coming from the feeding mechanism into a magazine in superposed position, compressing these lengths to form a column of uniform density and separating from this column thin sections of tobacco of a size sufficient to make a bunch. Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide mechanism for. forming more, uniform bunch charges than has heretofore been possible.

It is also a further object of the invention to provide means for feeding longfiller tobacco into forming more perfectly rounded and uniformly filled cigar bunches.

It is an added object of the invention to lay tobacco leaves in a feed mechanism in substantial parallelism one'with another to form a stream of tobacco, cut lengths from this stream, feed the lengths into a confining space, and at all times retain the substantial parallelism of the leaves until bunch charges separated from said space are rolled into bunches.

It is a further object to provide bunch charge forming mechanism which will form thin wafer like bunch charges which are of the order of ten times, more or less wider than they are thick; and which will allow rolling into more perfect bunches. It is a further object to provide means for overcoming any disadvantages incident to rolling bunch charges of approximately two to one proportions in width and thickness, as in the old method, and instead provide bunch charges of definitely greater width than thickness.

In view of the novel charge forming mechanism of the present invention the speed at which bunch charges may be pro'ducedis greatly in-- creased due chiefly to the fact that filler tobacco need not be placed in the feed mechanism with so great care as formerly required. Therefore it is an object to speed up the production of bunch charges while at the same time obtaining a uniformity of charge hitherto unobtainable,

and making it possible to increase the output of the cigar machine of which this structure forms a part.

It is also an object of the invention to eliminate so far as possible cutting and breaking the leaves which are to make up the bunch charges. Therefore, according to this invention sections of leaves of proper length are cut from a stream of tobacco, associated with other sections in a column in superposed relation, andthe desired quantity of tobacco for a bunch charge is cut from this column with a minimum of damage to the leaves.

It is a further object of the invention to feed long filler tobacco in laminated formation into a magazine, form a vertical column of superposed laminations of leaves, and separate thin sections from said column with a minimum of cutting and breakage of the leaf structure.

A further object is to utilize the full width of the leaves which are fed into a column forming magazine with no further cutting at right angles to their level, and separating charges therefrom and in which the charge is cut parallel with the leaf layers of the column with little or no breaking up of the leaves, hitherto the main detriment to wide cuts for long filler tobacco bunch charge forming means.

The invention also consists in the provision of transfer mechanism into which thin layers of tobacco separated from the charge forming column are delivered for transfer to a. bunch rolling mechanism.

The invention also consists in the provision of transfer mechanism into which thin layers of long filler tobacco are placed and conveyed into a bunch making device where the layersare discharged still substantially in intact layer form into a loop in the Chianti belt of said device, in which belt the layers are thereupon rolled into bunches. This novel method of bunch forming effectively eliminates unevenness in the bunches and the formation of channels sometimes encountered when bunch charges cut according to the old method are transformed into bunches.

The invention also consists of means for feed-' ing long filler tobacco in a stream, means for cutting predetermined lengths from said stream and delivering them into a magazine, a device for compacting the tobacco in said magazine to a predetermined density, means for separating thin layers from the tobacco in the magazine, means for interrupting the feed mechanism to prevent further feeding of the tobacco stream when an adequate supply of tobacco is present in the magazine, and means for rehabilitating said feed to feed additional tobacco to said magazine.

To the accomplishment of these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, one embodiment of the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

' In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts: i Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the ,manner in which the filler is fed, cut and transferred to the rolling table where it is combined with a binder to form a cigar bunch;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a bunch feeding mechanism including a thin charge separating and cutting device, transfer and rolling units constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 3'is an end elevation of the rolling table showing its central slidable mounting and an adjustable belt roller;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of 'the'mechanism for regulating the size of the bunch charge;

Fig. 5:is a side elevation of the self-closing transfer device in receiving position with an intermediate and final delivery position indicated in dot and dash lines;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the structure shown in Fig. 5 in its receiving position;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the charge separating and cutting device;

Fig. 8 is a plan viewbf the device shown in Fig. 7 with one of two extreme positions indicated by dot and dash lines;

Figure 8a is a partial-elevational view of the means for reciprocating the knife cutter bar;

Figure 8b is a sectional view of the means for reciprocating the knife cutter bar;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the reciprocating blade showing its mounting in tllietgiracket arm and location in the separating P i Fig. 10 is a side view of the filler magazine, partially in section, showing the thin charge being separated from the filler supply with some related mechanism shown in the loading position as indicated by dot and dash lines;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the magazine showing the loading of the same before it is lowered into charge-separating position;

Fig. 12 is a section taken on line |2l2 of Fig. 10, showing a thin charge being separated; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side view of the cross feeding mechanism control.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, there is provided a loading platform where the filler is, received in a stream from a cross-feeding or other suitable feeding mechanism, then cut to lengths and moved by a conveying device moving back and forth over said platform into a magazine. Means is provided for compacting the superposed lengths or laminations of long filler in the magazine and positioning it for the operation of a separating mechanism which in this embodiment includes a movable knife blade operating in conjunction with a relatively thin plate to separate a charge from the filler supply of the magazine. This charge is delivered by a suitable conveyor into a transfer device and is retained thereby as it is swung down to be transferred to the rolling table on which the binder is applied to produce a cigar bunch.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the filler charge feeding and charge separating mechanism is mounted on the frame H of a cigar machine. Brackets I2 and I3 bolted to the frame ll, support plates l4, l5 and I 5a, suitably secured thereto, as at l5 which form the side walls of a filler supply magazine I1. A pressure plate l8 (Fig. 12) secured at I 9 to a slide 20, mounted in grooved projecting guides 2| of a bracket 22 and retained by plates 23 attached thereto at 24, is operated to compress and guide the column of filler tobacco which is held in the magazine IT by a bottom plate 25. The bracket 22 bolted to the side of the plate l4 provides bearings for a shaft 26 upon which is fixed a lever 21 (Fig. 12) A slide operating link 2! is pivoted to the lever 21 at 29 and to the slide 20 at; A lever 3|, fixed to the shaft and prothe magazine I1. The magazine bottom plate 25 isattached, as at 38, to a bracket 39 which pro.-

jects from a grooved slide member 46, adapted for vertical travel on a slide 4| (Figs. 2, 16 and l2), retained therein by a plate .42 suitably attached at 43. The slide 4! is mounted on the bracket I2 (Fig. 2) and extends upward to the grooved slide member 46 which is connected to a cam-operated link 44 by a pin 45 guided in a slot 46 thereof. A sliding'block 41 (Fig. 4) curved at one end to fit the pin 45, is fitted to the slot 46 of the link 44 where a spring 48, located on a stud 49, secured to the other end of the block 41 and passing through the top of the link 44 yieldingly holds it in a position limited by nuts 56 on the stud 49. This feature in cooperation with a stop to be described permits of adjustment for different thickness of charge such as indicated at C' (Fig.

When the tobacco filler T is fed through the belt-formed channel 5| of the feed mechanism (Fig. 2) which may be of the type above referred to, it is cut into bunch lengths T' on a platform 52 by a cutter 53, both having corrugations 54 for shaping the bunch ends while the platform 52 is in a horizontal position. The platform 52, mounted on an arm 55 which is fixed on a shaft 56 is lowered by a link connection 51 (Figs. 1 and 2) to a cam (not shown) similar to that shown in the Bronander patent referred to into an'inclined position whilea pair of transfer guide arms 58, also mounted on the shaft 56 are positioned to retain the bunch lengths T on the platform 52, before it is lowered, by a link 59 connected to a cam (not shown), by mechanism of the type shown in the Bronander patent. The platform bottom plate 25 (Fig. 113.15 released and the entire filler supply is lowered into position, for the separation of a thin charge when the member 66 has been retracted. A block 'II (Figs. 2

and-10) fastened to the member 66 at 12 is provided with holes for two rods 13, which are secured to the magazine plate I5 and the member- 66,. thus slidably supported, is retracted from its position over the magazine II by a link I4 pivotally connected at l5.to the block II and to a lever I6 at IT. The lever 16 is fixed on a shaft 18 journaled in a bracket 13 on the frame II and is operated by one of the several cams 66 on the shaft 61 through operating connections 86, 8| and 82 (Fig. 2) During the time cam-operated links 31 and 44 are actuated to bring the pressure plate I8 and magazine bottom plate 25, together with the filler supply, down into charge separating position, a pin 83 (Figs. 4 and 11) on the bracket 39 of the slide member 46- engages an adjustable stop plate-84 pivoted on the bracket I2 at 85. A set screw 86 and a nut 31 supported on a lug 68 of the bracket I2 retain the position of the plate 84 against the action of the pin 83 at 89, in this manner providing for a predetermined thickness of the charge to be separated. The sliding block 41 previously described as fitted to the slot 46 of the link 44 and yieldingly held in position by the spring 48 will be raised, compressing the spring 48 by the additional travel of the link 45 since the magazine bottom plate 25 and slide member :16 have come to rest, as described.

With the filler supply in the form of a column I of superposed filler lengths in the magazine, a

52 in its inclined position rests on a gate or closure member 66 which projects over the space between the magazine wall plates I4 and I5, and a swinging rake 6 I a plate 62 of which is notched at 63 (Fig. 1) to coact with the guide arms 58, draws off the severed bunch lengths T. The plate 62 of the rake 6| which may have a suitably beveled edge for efiective operation on both the platform 52- and gate 66, forces the filler section or bunch length into position directly over the space between the magazine wall plates I4 and I5. In doing so, the rake 6I advances slightly beyond a position of alignment with the magazine wall plate I5 which it occupies when the tiller supply is compacted and then returns. In this manner each length fed to the magazine will be compacted laterally by the members I4 and 62 before it is associated with the tobacco in the magazine.

Links 31 and 44 are connected at 63 and 64 respectively to cam levers mounted at 65 which are provided with followers for coaction with earns 66, mounted on shaft 61.

With the filler section T or severed bunch length in place on themember 66 in the magazine H the cam-operated link 31 is lowered permitting the weighted lever 3|, at its pin and slot connection 36 to descend with the pressure plate I8 bringing it to bear against the filler section T supported on the member 66. Simultaneously, the link 44 is raised allowing the slide member 46, at its connection thereto at to travel upward, with any surplus filler supply carried on the magazine bottom plate 25, under the influence of a spring 68 (Figs. 2 and 4) supported between the plate I4 at 69 and the slide member 46 at I6. The compressed filler section T now held by the member 66 which lies between any surplus filler that has been brought up by the charge separating mechanism 96 above the magazine bottom plate 25, slidably supported'on two rods 9| secured to the magazine plate I5 and passing through a block 92 is operated by one of the several cams 66 with connections thereto similar to those provided for the closure member 66. A separating plate 93 is attached to the block 92 at 94 and a reciprocating bar 95 with two rollers 96, pivoted thereon at 91, is fitted to angularly opposed slots 98 in the block 92. A knife blade 99 which in the illustrated embodiment is shown provided with a serrated cutting edge, is fitted in horizontally slotted ends of bracket arms I66 and is held in place by pins IN on the blade 99 which are positioned in vertical slots I62 of the. arms I66.

The bracket arms I69 are attached to the reciprocatingbar 95 at I63 (Fig. 8) to permit of tension adjustment for the knife blade 99 as provided by bolts W4 and nuts I64a mounted on I the bar 95. The knife blade 99 is reciprocated horizontally in a slot I of the separating plate 93 as the charge separating mechanism 96 is advanced into the filler supply by op- I68, at I69 which is actuated on the shaft I6 by one of several cams 66 through connections similar to 8| and" 82. The separating plate 93 is tapered atits eifectiveedge II6 to facilitate the cleavage of the compressed tobacco leaves in the filler supply as it follows the knife blade 99 which'in its cuttingmotion from side to side has out only the upturned stems or other leaf obstructions that are not substantially parallel as a part .of the laminated tobacco supply. full width of the leaves has been retained as there has been no further cutting at right angles to the level of the leaves since fed from the cross-feed onto the plate 52, and hence breakageand dam age to the leaves is held at a minimum. Alsothis .1

The

work of charge forming is responsible for the absence of slivers of tobacco or "strings commonly present in charges produced, by other methods heretofore referred to. The cutting motion described by the reciprocating knife blade 99 is effective to cut only as it advances toward the center of the filler supply which it clears upon its return stroke. Similar conditions will obtain at both ends of the zig-za'g travel of the knife blade 99 due to the opposing angles of the slots 98 engaged by the "rollers 96. This method of cutting toward the center of the filler supply eliminates any possibility of pulling out fragments of the leaves or damaging the ends DIE-x viously shaped by the cross feed cutter 53. As a result a thin charge C of whole leaves is separated with a minimum of cutting or damage. In the illustrated embodiment bar 95, which sup-" ports blade 99, is reciprocatedl by means of motor M mounted on frame II of the machine (Fig. 2). Fixed to the motor shaft is a collar I I2b upon which is eccentrically and pivotally mounted at II2a a connecting fork member IIIb. Attached to one end of this member, and extending tothe forked portion at the other end thereof, is a rod III .which is secured to bar 95 (Figures 8, 8a and 8b).

A plunger plate I I3 (Figs. 2 and 10) to which a plunger H4 is suitably secured at one end, is slidably supported on two rods H5, secured to a magazine plate I5a and passing through a block H6 attached to the plunger plate H3 at II1. Plunger II4 may be provided in various thicknesses or be adjustable to various thicknesses. A link II8 connected to the block H6 at I I9 and to one arm of a bell-crank lever I20 at I2I mounted on the shaft 18 is operated by one of several cams 66 with connections similar to 80, 6|, 82 provided for the operation of the gate 60. When the thin charge C has been separated the plunger plate I I3 with its plunger II4 travels bee tween the separating plate 93 of separating mechanism 90 and the magazine bottom plate 25 to force the separated thin charge 0 between relatively separable members of a swinging transfer device I24 (Figs. 5, 6 and which in the embodiment shown comprises plates I22 and I23 hinged together at I25 and held open to receive it by the magazine bottom plate 25 engaging a ledge I26 formed on plate I 23. The plunger plate H3 is retracted after loading the transfer device I24 and the magazine plate 25 is elevated to a suitable distance from the separating plate 93 so that the remaining-filler'supply will be supported after the separating mechanism 90 is retracted. The plate I22 is suitably secured to a bracket I21 fixed on a shaft I28 and which carries two arms I29 and I30 to coact with a pin I3I mounted on a block I32. The block I32, together with a plate I33, one part of which is upturned at I34 and another part turned down at I35, is attached to the plate I 23 at I36. A lug I31 on the bracket I21 carries a pin I38 from which a spring I 39 is attached to a pin I 40 on the downwardly extending lug I35 which spring normally tends to draw plate I23 towards plate I22 into layer holding position A slotted cam arm I, integral with the bracket I21 is operated on .its coacting follower I42, pivoted on an arm I 43 (Fig; 2) attached to the bracket I2 at I6 and is caused to swing by a cam operated lever I 44. The lever I44 pivoted at I45 on the bracket I2 and loosely mounted on the shaft I26 is attached to a link I46 at I41 which is operated from one of the several cams 66. As the transfer device I24 swings down '(Fig. 5) the plate I23 moves from its contact through ledge I26 with plate I25 and is urged by the spring I39 to close and retain the thin layer of tobacco or charge 0 until the arm I29 strikes the pin I3I and forces the plates I22 and I 23 as far apart as the upturned lug I34,

acting as a. stop, will permit. The spring I39 cooperates and maintains this position while the change is delivered to a rolling table I48 below. In the lowermost position of the transfer member, plate I23 thereof comes to rest against a side of the loop or pocket of the rolling apron or Chianti belt which is about equal in depth to the width of the layer. Then as arm I29 strikes pin I3I and forces the plates apart against the tension of spring I39 the thin section transferred to the loop will slide out of the transfer member and rest substantially on the side of the loop so that as the transfer device rises and leaves the section in the loop, the section may remain substantially intact and upon the forward movement of the rolling pin I63 the section is rolled up and formed into a cigar bunch. Later, as the transfer device is restored to its receiving position the arm I30 acts upon the pin I3I to return the plates I22 and I 23 to normal unloaded position in which plates I22 and I23 are held by the above mentioned means yieldingly together at their free ends until contact of ledge I26 with plate 25 again opens the transfer member for reception of a new charge.

The rolling table I48 is centrally mounted on a base I49 so shaped as to permit a swinging roller bracket I50 to be pivoted midway its height by the medium of a link I50a to a sliding bracket I5I, as at I52 and I53. Rails I54 to the base I49 and fitted to the bracket I5I provide for the sliding movement of the roller bracket I 50 and will maintain it at all times steadily level so as to correct the irregularities in the filler charge and produce bunches of more uniform body. The sliding bracket I5I is pivotally connected at I55 to a link I56 the other end of which is pivoted at I51 to a cam-operated lever I58. A link I59 secured in a slot I60 at I6I is actuated by a cam (not shown) to operate the roller bracket I50 in the well known manner. A belt I62 is attached-and adapted to be stretched between a roller I63 on the bracket I50 and a roller I64 adjustably mounted on the brackets I2 and I3 to cooperate in the usual manner with the rolling table to produce a cigar bunch of the thin charge. Rollers I65 pivoted on the bracket I50 and link I50a are adapted to slide in a grooved plate I66 attached to the frame II and cooperate with the rails I54 in the operation of the rolling bracket I50.

The cross feeding mechanism (Fig. 13) which may be of the type shown in Patent No. 1,740,571

issued December 24, 1929, to Wilhelm B. Bronander, is 'mtermittently driven by a ratchet I61 mounted on a shaft I68 as ong as it is engaged by a double pawl I69 pivotesLat one end of a lever I10, at Hi. The lever I10 on the shaft I68 is oscillated by an arm I12 fixed thereto at H011 and slidably secured by a pin I13 (Fig. l) in a slot I14 to acrank I15 on the shaft I16. A stop screw I12a mounted on the arm I12, limits the movement of the pin I13 for adjustment of the feeding stroke. A sprocket I11 on the shaft I16 is driven by a chain I18 from a sprocket (not shown) on the main shaft of the machine. An

arcuate arm I19 mounted at I60 to a releasing suitably secured arm I19 raised and the pawl I69 out of engagement with the ratchet I61 by a locking lever I85 notched at one end and pivoted on the frame II at I86. Springs I9Ia and I85a, suitably secured to levers I8I and I85 at I81 and I88 respectively, are anchored on the frame II at I89. The lever I85 is operated by a crank arm I90 on the shaft 25 through a link I9I pivoted to the crank arm I98 at I92 and secured to the lever I85 by a pin lever I94 is pivoted on the shaft 26 and is provided with screws I95 which bear against a pin I96 on arm I99. An adjustable screw I91 is secured in a bracket I98 attached to the cross feeding frame I99 to limit the travel of the arm I12 and the double pawl I69 in one direction. A stop pin 209 is provided on the frame II for limiting the travel of the pawl I69 in the opposite direction.

When the height ofthe accumulated mass of tobacco in magazine I1 reaches a predetermined level, downward movement of weight 34 is stopped, and shaft 26 is' prevented from rocking an amount sufiicient to operate the lever I85 and permit the spring I8Ia to move the lever I8I so that the pawl I69 may engage the ratchet I61 for feeding.

To prevent accidental engagement of the pawl I69 at some point during the forward stroke of the crank I which would result in a short charge being delivered to the platform 52 a bell crank lever I is pivotally mounted on the frame II at 202 and one arm 20m, notched to engagethe end of the arcuate arm I19 holds it in position to prevent the pawl I69 from engaging the ratchet 61. The larger arm 2IlIb of the lever 29I operates by gravity to position the arm 29Ia as described until the crank I15 in its rotation strikes it up at a time coincidental with the release of the pawl I69 for engagement by operation of levers I8I and I85.

The various means referred to may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims for the particular structure selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar machine, a conveyor, a cross feed mechanism for feeding a tobacco stream onto a conveyor, a cutter for cutting predetermined lengths from said tobacco stream as it issues from said mechanism onto said conveyor, means forlowering said conveyor, avertical tobacco magazine having vertical sides and an open top, a gate for closing said top, means for locating a length of tobacco on said gate over'said magazine while said top is closed, means for raising tobacco in said magazine against said gate, means for withdrawing said gate and thereby allowing said length to enter and assemble with tobacco already in said magazine.

2. A cigar machine comprising a tobacco feed mechanism for feeding a stream of tobacco leaves or particles, a vertically movable support onto which tobacco is fed, means for severing predetermined lengths from said tobacco streamafter it is fed onto said support, means for lowering said support, a vertical magazine for holding a plurality of superposed lengths of tobacco, means for feeding a length into said magazine from and slot connection I93. A forked adjusting said lowered support with the tobacco leaves (or particles) thereof arranged (or positioned) substantially relatively as to each other as originally cut from the stream, means for separating a uniform charge of tobacco from the bottom of the tobacco in said magazine, a bunch charge receiving transfer member, and means for ejecting said separated charge from said magazine into said member.

3. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a vertical open end magazine having a receiving and a discharging end, of charge measuring and separating means for separating a predetermined volume of tobacco at the discharge end of said magazine, a tobacco feed for advancing a stream of long filler tobacco leaves or particles, a movable support positioned to receive a length of the advancing end of said stream equal to the length of a bunch, a cutter for severing said length from the remainder of the stream, means moving said support out of alignment with thefeed into position to deliver into the open receiving end of said magazine, a pusher having to and fro movement along said support to push said length into said magazine with the tobacco leaves (or particles) thereof substantially arranged (or positioned) relatively to each other as originally cut from the stream to fill the magazine with laminations comprising a plurality of superposed lengths, and a vertically reciprocating plunger movable into said magazine to compress said laminations ering operation.

4. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a vertical open ended magazine having a receiving and a discharge end, of charge measuring and separating means for separating a predetermined volume of tobacco at the discharge end of said magazine, a cross feed for advancing a stream of long filler tobacco, a movable support positioned to receive a length of the advancing end of said stream equal to the length of a bunch, a cutter for severing said length from the remainder of the stream, means moving said support out of alignment with the cross feed into position to deliver into the open receiving end of said magazine, a closure member for said opening onto which lengths are delivered, means for pushing said lengths onto said member, means for withdrawing said member and allowing said lengths to enter said magazine, and means for interrupting said feed when said magagine contains a surplus of tobacco.

5. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a vertical open ended magazine having areceiving and a discharge end, of charge measur-' support positioned to receive a length of the advancing end of said stream equal to the length of a bunch, a cutter for severing said length from the stream, means moving said support out of alignment with said device into position to deliver into the open receiving end of said magazine, a gate closing said opening, means for pushing said lengths onto said gate, means for withdrawing said gate and allowing said lengths to be fed into said magazine, said measuring and separating means including a reciprocating carriage, a plate, and a knife mounted on said carriage, and means for moving said, carriage so that said plate separates a predetermined thickduring charge sevness of tobacco from said tobacco in said magazine.

6. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a vertical open ended magazine having a receiving and a discharge end, of charge measuring and separating means for separating a predetermined volume of tobacco at the discharge end of saidmagazine, means for forwarding a stream of. long filler tobacco, a movable support positioned to receive a length of the forward end of said stream equal approximately to the length of a bunch, a cutter for severing said length from the remainder of the stream, means moving said support out of alignment with the forwarding means into position to deliver into the open receiving end of said magazine, a gate closing said opening, means for pushing said to travel to and from tobacco receiving position adjacent said mechanism where it receives a length to be cut from said stream, and discharge position adjacent said magazine where said length is discharged into said magazine, means for compressing said tobacco in said magazine, means for separating a section of uniform volume from said compressed tobacco, means for ejecting said section from said magazine with the leaves (or particles) of each length substantially arranged (or positioned) relatively to each other as originally cut from said stream, and means for varying the thickness of tobacco sections separated from the tobacco in said magazine.

8. In acigar machine, the combination with. a long filler tobacco feeding mechanism'for feeding a stream of tobacco, of a pivoted platform movable into alignment with said mechanism for receiving predetermined lengths of tobacco to be cut from said stream, a magazine having an open tobacco receiving end, means for moving said platform to a position adjacent said magazine, a length receiving member closing said end when saidplatform has been moved adjacent said magazine, means for withdrawing said member to allow lengths positioned thereon to be ejected into said magazine, and means for ejecting tobacco lengths on said platform into said magazine.

9. In a cigar machine, the combination with a device for feeding a stream of tobacco leaves or particles, of means for severing predetermined lengthsfrom the stream, a magazine positioned to receive said lengths in superposed relationship, means for conveying said lengths to said magazine with the leaves (or particles) of each length substantially arranged (or positioned) relative to each other in a planar arrangement corresponding to their arrangement when originally cut from said stream, said magazine comprising spaced walls, a movable bottom support yieldingly mounted for movement in said magazine, a tamping member movably mounted above said magazine and adapted 'to move into said magazine to compress said lengths of tobacco in sa depositing charges of tobacco upon said member,

and means for withdrawing said member to allow said tobacco charge to enter said magazine,

11. In a cigar bunch machine, a magazine having spaced vertical walls, an open top end and a bottom end, a movable support closing said bottom end and supporting a column of tobacco in said magazine, a closure member for the top end of said magazine, means for feeding predetermined lengths of filler tobacco onto said member, means for compressing said tobacco lengths upon said member, means for raising said support to bring the column of tobacco up against the underside of the member, means for withdrawing said member so that the tobacco positioned thereon may assemble with the tobacco in said column, means for lowering said support and compressing means simultaneously to position said column in charge separating position, while maintaining said column under compression, and means for separating thin charges of tobacco from said column.

12. In a cigar bunch machine, a device for forming predetermined lengths of long filler tobacco, a magazine for holding a column of said tobacco, means for intermittently feeding said lengths into said magazine, means for separating a thin section from said column, said means comprising a reciprocating tobacco engaging separating plate, a knife mounted on said plate, means to reciprocate said plate to advance said knife into said magazine to separate said section from said column and means for moving said knife relative to said plate during the advance of said plate into'said magazine.

13. In a cigar bunch machine, a magazine for supporting a column of long filler tobacco, means for feeding tobacco into said magazine, and means for separating thin layers of said tobacco from said column, said means comprising a horizontal reciprocating plate, a knife mounted in said plate, and means for moving said knife independently of the movement of said plate and transversely to the movement thereof as the latter advances into said magazine to separate a layer from said column.

14. In a cigar machine, a magazine containing a column of laminated layers of long filler tobacco leaves, means for compacting said column to a uniform density, said means comprising a yieldingiy mounted bottom support plate mounted in the bottom of said magazine, a vertically reciprocating tamping plate mounted above the upper end of said magazine for vertical movement into and out of said magazine, means for placing a succession of lengths of tobacco in said magazine to form said column, means for moving said plate into engagement with each layer after it has been placed on other layers already in said magazine, and a lost motion connection controlling the movement of said tamping plate into said magazine, and means for separating thin sections of tobacco of a width several times in excess of their thickness from said column means for separating thin sections of tobacco from said column, said means comprising a. horizontal reciprocatory plate movable into said mag-.

azine at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof, means for holding said tobacco under uniform compression during said separation, and

means for varying the thickness of the layer separated. v

'16. In a cigar bunch machine, a magazine for supporting a vertical column of long filler tobacco, means for adding tobacco in superposed layers to saidcolumn, means for separating thin sections of tobacco from said column, said means comprising a horizontal reciprocatory plate and an independently operated knife movable into said magazine at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof, means for holding said tobacco under uniform compression during said separation; means for varying the thickness of the layer separated, a device for conveying separated layersfrom said magazine into a bunch forming mechanism, and means for effecting. the discharge of said layer substantially intact into said mechanism.

17. In a cigar bunch machine, a magazine for supporting a column of long filler tobacco, means ciprocatory plate movable into said magazine atright angles to the longitudinal axis thereof, means for holding said tobacco under uniform compression during said separation, means for varying the thickness of the layer separated, the means for varying the thickness of said layers separated comprising a yieldingly mounted support for said tobacco column, a plate, a pin fixed to said support resting on said plate, and means for adjusting'the position of said plate to control the location of said support.

18. In a cigar bunch machine, a movable platform, a feed mechanism for forwarding a stream of long filler tobacco leaves or particles onto said platform, means for cutting lengths from said stream on said platform, a vertical magazine for holding a column of filler tobacco formed of a series of superposed lengths, means for feeding lengths from said platform into said magazine in superimposed relation therein with the tobacco leaves (or particles) thereof substantially arranged (or positioned) relative to each other as originally cut from said stream, a horizontal segregating plate for separating a charge of uniform density from said column, and means for moving said plate into and out of contact with said column to separate said charge.

taining a columnof laminated long filler tobacco,

- plate advances into said column to cut leaves which do not separate as said plate advances.

mounted in said plate, and means for reciprocating said knife during movement of said plate into and out of separating position for cutting those leaves which obstruct the movement of said plate. I v

20. In a cigar bunch machine, a vertical magazine containing a column of compressed laminated predetermined lengths of long filler tobacco leaves, mechanism for separating thin layers of tobacco along said laminations to form bunchv charges of tobacco, said mechanism comprising a reciprocatory separating member movable between laminations to separate said layer, a knife mounted for cutting movement independent of and during the reciprocatory movement of said member, and means for imparting cutting movement to said knife to cut leaves which obstruct the movement of said mechanism.

21. In a cigar bunch machine, a vertical-magazine containing a supply of long filler tobacco leaves, a separating plate arranged to enter said magazine and separate thin layers of tobacco from said supply as it moves into said magazine,

a knife mounted at the front edge of said plate, and means for reciprocating said knife as said 22. In a cigar bunch machine, a vertical magazine containing a supply of long filler tobacco, a

separating plate having a slotted forward edge arranged to enter said magazine and separate thin layers of tobacco from said supply, a knife mounted in said slot of said plate, and means for continuously reciprocating said knife transversely to the path of said plate as said plate advances into said column to separate said layer.

23. In a cigar bunch machine, a device for segregating thin layers of tobacco from 'a column of tobacco comprising a thin tobacco engaging plate, and a serrated knife movable independently of the movement of said plate mounted in the forward end of said plate, and means for imparting continuous cutting movement to said knife 24. A'device for separating thin sections from a column of laminated long filler tobacco comprising a thin plate arranged to engage said tobacco and move at right angles to the longi-' tudinal axis of said column, and a knife mounted in said plate for movement relative thereto.

1 25. A device for separating thin layers from a said lengths substantially intact'during the movement into said magazine including a device for receiving and positioning said lengths above said column, and means for moving said device'horizontally out of said magazine to associate each last fed length with said tobacco in said column, means for placing said column under compresmeans for forming thin layers from said tobacco in said column, said means comprising a horizontally movable segregating plate constructed to move between laminations and move said layer away from said column, a reciprocating knife sion, and means for separating layers of uniform density and volume from said column while it is under compression, said separating means comprising a plate arranged to enter said magazine at a distance equal to the predetermined thickness of a layer above the bottom end of said magazine, and a knife atthe forward end of said plate arranged to cut tobacco tending to obstruct the movement of said plate while it is separating a layer of tobacco from said magazine.

2'7. Ina bunch machine, a magazine provided with a top and a bottom end, a support closing said bottom end and supporting a column of long filler tobacco, means for feeding predetermined lengths of long filler tobacco into said magazine, mechanism for separating and removing from the magazine thin layers of tobacco of uniform density and volume, and means for adjusting the location of said support to vary the thickness of layers removed, said mechanism comprising a thinreciprocatory plate and independently reciprocable knife located at its advancing edge and movable with said plate into said magazine at a point the thickness of the layer of tobacco to be separated above said support for separating said layer.

28. In a cigar machine, the combination with mechanism for receiving bunch lengths of long filler tobacco of substantially predetermined width having the leaves thereof arranged in planes generally parallel to each.other, of means cooperating with said mechanism to assemble I said lengths in a vertical column with the leaves of the assembled lengths in generally parallel planes extending transversely of the column, and

maintaining said lengths in said column under compression, a charge separator for separating 'bunch charges from said column, and means for holding th top and bottom of each separated charge and maintaining said charge under com-.

arranged in a generally horizontal overlapping relation, a cutter arranged to out said stream into bunch lengths from the forward end of said stream, means cooperating with said cutter to assemble said lengths in a column with the leaf webs of the assembled lengths generally parallel and with the leaves thereof in substantially the same position they" occupied relatively to each arms fixed to the ends of said bar, cam followers mounted on said bar, stationary cams formed on said carriage, a knife cooperating with said plate supported at the ends of said bar, and means for reciprocating said bar substantially at right angles to the path of movement lof said carriage between limits controlled by said cams and cam followers so that said knife cuts the tobacco of said column which does not separate as said plate advances.

32. In a cigar bunch machine, mechanism for separating thin layers of tobacco from a column of tobacco comprising a reciprocating carriage, a tobacco separating plate having a slot in the front edge thereof affixed to said carriage, a bar slidably supported in said carriage, spaced arms fixed to the ends of said bar, cam followers mounted on said bar, stationary cams formed on said carriage, a knife slidably mounted in said slot supported at the ends of said bar, and means for reciprocating said bar between limits con-- trolled by said cams and cam followers so that said knife moves into said column to separate a layer as said plate advances into said column.

33. A cigar machine comprising a tobacco feeding mechanism, a vertically'movable support onto which tobacco is fed, means for severing predetermined lengths from said .tobacco after it is fed onto said support, means for lowering said support, a magazine for holding a plurality of superposed lengthsof tobacco, means for feedother when originally cut from said stream, and p a charge separator arranged to separate bunch charges from said column.

30. In a cigar bunch machine, a feed mechanism for feeding a stream of long filler tobacco, 'a

' vertically movable platform movable into alignment with said mechanism and arranged to receive a portion of said stream,,means for cuttin a predetermined length of tobacco from said stream on said platform, a magazine for holding a column of superposed lengths of tobacco, means for moving said platform to a point adjacent said magazine, means for ejecting saidtobacco therefrom into said magazine, a segregating plate adapted to separate thin layers of tobacco from said column, a movable transfer device having relatively movable layer holding members for receiving said layers, means for movingsaid transfer from receiving to transfer position, and means for swinging the members of said device relative to each other to allow the charge layer therein to move as a layer, onto the belt of a rolling apron where said layer is formed into a bunch.

31. In a cigar bunch machine, mechanism for separating thin layers of tobacco from a column of tobacco comprising a reciprocating carriage, a tobacco separating plate affixed to said carriage, a bar slidably supported in said carriage, spaced ing an additional length into said magazine from said lowered support, means for separating a uniform charge of tobacco from the bottom of 34. In a cigar machine, in combination, a ver-v tical magazine for supporting a column of superposed lengths of tobacco, means for separating thin bunch charge layers from said column, a transfer device, a pusher movable at right angles to said column for ejecting said separated layers from said column into said device, means for swinging said transfer device into discharge position, and means for discharging the contents of said device into a bunch forming mechanism, said device comprising a pair of relatively separable side plates and means for holding said plates apart when a layer is being delivered into said device.

35. In a cigar machine, a magazine for a column of long filler tobacco, a bottom ,support for said column, means cooperating with said support for compressing said tobacco to uniform density, a reciprocating layer separating device for separating thinlayers of tobacco from said column while it is under compression, and a pusher movable relative to said device for ejecting separated layers laterally from said magazine.

36. In a cigar machine, the combination with a device for feeding astream of tobacco, of means for severing predetermined lengths from the stream, a vertical magazine positioned to receive said lengths in superposed relationship, means for conveying said lengths to said magazine, said bottom support yieldlngly mounted for movement in said magazine, a compressing member movably mounted above said magazine and adapted to move into said magazine to com- 7 press said lengths of tobacco in said magazine to form a column of tobacco of uniform density therein, means for separating section from said column while. under compression, a movable transfer device, means movable beneath said separating member for placing separated sections into said device, andmeans to move said device to charge discharging position.

37. In a cigar machine, a vertical tobacco magazine for holding a column of superposed lengths of tobacco, means for compressing said tobacco to a uniform density, mechanism for separating thin layers of tobacco from said column and delivering said layers to a transfer device, said device comprising a pair-of relatively movable members for receiving a layer of tobacco, means normally tending to close said members, a movable support cooperating with one of said members to hold said device openfor receivin a charge, and means for moving said device to transfer a layer to discharging position for rolling into a bunch so constructed that said memsaid plates to receive a charge, means for moving said mechanism into said loop withone of said sides proximate a side of said loop, means for opening said plates to allow the charge to slide from said transfer, and means for raising said mechanismto leave said charge in said loop.

41. In, a cigar bunch making machine, a bunch rolling mechanism, means for delivering thin bunch charges into said mechanism comprising a movable transfer pocket including a pair of fiat plates hinged to one another at one end,

means normally tending to hold said plates with their free ends together, means for separating said plates to receive a charge, meansfor moving said pocket to discharge position in said mechanism, means for separating said plates upon the arrival of said pocket at discharge position, for efiecting sliding discharge from said pocket by movement of said pocket only into said bunch rolling mechanism whereby said charge of tobacco is disposed in substantially intact condition in said bunch rolling mechanism.-

42. In a bunch making mechanism, ,a charge transfer device, comprising a pocket composed of a pair of relatively separable flat sides for holding bunch charges in thin fiat layers, a lever sup porting said pocket for movement to and-from bers move together to hold said layer in layerform therebetween during the transfer movement.

38. In a cigar bunch machine, a vertical magazine housing a column of superposed tobacco lengths, means for separating thin layers of tobacco from said column, means for ejecting said lengths from said column, a transfer device receiving said layers and transferring the same to a bunch rolling mechanism, said device including a pair of pivoted plates normally held in closed position, means carried by one of said plates for holding them open in layer receiving position, means for turning said device to grip a layer of tobacco fed between said plates, and means for opening said plates to allow said layer to move substantially intact into the loop of the Chianti belt of said bunch rolling mechanism.

39. In a cigar machine, a vertical tobacco magazine for holding a column of superposed lengths of'tobacco, means for compressing the tobacco in said magazine to a. uniform density,

mechanism for separating thin sections of tobacco of bunch forming size from said column, a transfer device for transferring said sections to a bunch making unit, means for conveying said sections to said device, said device including a plurality of relatively separable members located adjacent said magazine, means for holding said members separated to receive sections from said magazine, means for moving said device to,dis

charging position in the loop of the rolling apron of a bunch forming mechanism, means for moving said members together to grip said sections as said device is moving to said discharge position and means for separating said members in said loop to allow said sections to slide substantially intact into said'loop.

receiving and discharge position, means for separating said sides to receive a thin section of filler tobacco, means for closing said sides to grip said section during movement of the pocket from the receiving position, and means for opening said pocket at discharge position.

. 43. In a bunch making machine,- the-combination with a bunch rolling apron having a loop for the reception of bunch charges, of a device for conveying charges to said loop, comprising a pair of relatively separable flat side members. for holding bunch charges in thin fiat layers, a lever supporting said members, means for opening said members to receive a charge, means for closing said members to grip a charge as said device moves to discharge. position, and a cam operable at said discharge position to open said side members to allow said charge to slide out of said device.

44. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with means for forming thin wide wafer-shaped bunch charges having a width several times their thickness, a bunch rolling apron having a charge receiving pocket and a filler charge transfer for receiving said charge and delivering it edgewise against the bottom of said pocket, and apronoperating means coactingl with said apron to provide a pocket having a depth approximately equal to the width of said charge to receive the charge and coacting with said belt after a charge compacting a vertical column of superposed lay- 40. In a bunch making machine, in comblna- 1 tion, a bunch rolling table, a rolling apron provided with a loop for receiving bunch charges to be rolled into bunches, a transfer mechanism for transferring bunch charges into said loop comprising a pair of relatively separable flat plates for holding said charges in thin flat layers,

means normally holding said plates in yielding contacting relationship, means for separating ers of long filler tobacco, of a horizontal member provided with a cutter for separating a charge from one end of said column, a charge transfer, a device fordelivering the charge to said transfer, and means for actuating said member to sever the charge and maintain it in compacted condition while it is being delivered from said column to said transfer.

46. ,In a cigar machine, the combination with means for confining a plurality of superposed layers of tobacco cut to bunchlength in a vertical. column of laminated long filler leaves, of a for moving said knife at right angles to the vertical axis of said column to out said charges therefrom, and means for imparting a plurality of oscillations to said knife while said device is separating bunch charges from said column, said device being constructed and arranged to tend to cause said knife to move between the laminated leaves in said column and minimize the formation ofsmali pieces of tobacco formed during the separation of a charge.

47. The combination with mechanism for feeding-a stream of filler tobacco, of means for cutting a succession of bunch lengths from said stream, means for superimposing said lengths to form a column of tobacco, a device for compacting said column'oftobacco to substantially a uniform density, and means for compacting each bunch length laterally prior to its delivery to said column, i

48. The method of preparing long filler tobacco for formation into cigar bunch charges which comprises, forming a relatively narrow continuous stream of long filler tobacco leaves, cutting a succession of lengths of tobacco from the forward portion of said stream, laterally compacting each length in a horizontal direction after it has been cut from said stream, superimposing said lengths one upon another to form a vertical column of laminated long filler lengths, and seprating bunch charges of tobacco from said column along a plane located at right angles to the longitudinal'axis of said column.

49. The method of preparing long filler tobacco for formation into cigar bunch charges which comprises, laying long filler tobacco leaves in a restricted area to form a relatively narrow, continuous stream of overlapped long filler tobacco leaves of varying thickness from said overlapped long filler tobacco leaves, cutting a succession of lengths of tobacco from said stream, forming a column of laminated long tiller lengths, trans- .ferring said lengths from said zone of cutting 45 into said column, and maintaining the several leaves or particles positioned in a planar arrangement corresponding substantially to their original planar arrangement both during said transfer and when positioned in said column, and severing bunch charges of tobacco from said tobacco in said column along a plane located at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said column. I

50. The method of preparing long filler tobacco for formation into cigar bunch charges which comprises, placing long filler tobacco leaves in overlapping relation to form an endless stream, successively cutting bunch lengths from said stream, assembling each length cut with the succeeding length to form a column wherein the top of one length is located in engagement with the bottom of the length next cut with the leaves being in a planar arrangement corresponding substantially to their original planar arrangement, compacting said column of tobacco to substantially uniform density,v and then separating i bunch charges of tobacco from said column.

51. A device for separatingsections of tobacco predetermined density,

members coacting to compact the bunch lengths 52. Thecombination with means for feeding a continuous stream of long filler tobacco leaves, and a cutter for severing bunch lengths of tobacco therefrom, of means for superimposing said 5 lengths on one another to form a column of lengths of laminated long filler leaves, means for compacting said column, a device forseparating bunch charges from said column, comprising a knife positioned with its cutting-edge substantially parallel with the longer dimension of the superimposed lengths of tobacco forming 'said column, and means for moving said knife with a compound reciprocatory and oscillatory movement during the operation of said device to separate said charges, said'device being constructed and arranged to tend to cause said knife to move between the laminated leaves in said column and minimize the formation of small pieces of tobacco formed during the separation of a charge.

53. The method of forming cigar bunch charges which consists in forming a stream of overlapping long tiller tobacco leaves of substantially predetermined width, subject to variations in thickness, cutting a succession of cigar lengths from said stream, assembling each length cut with the succeeding length to form a column wherein the top of one length is located in engagement with the bottom of the adjacent length, and cutting bunch charges'from said column in a plane approximately parallel to the bottom surfaces of said lengths, which chargesare uniform in thickness despite possible variations in the thickness of the lengths from which the column is formed.

54. The combination with mechanism for feeding a stream of filler tobacco, oi means for separating bunch lengths from said stream and.

superimposing them to form a column of tobacco. and a device for compacting said column to a said means including laterally to a predetermined width prior to delivery to said .column and subsequent to the separation thereof.

55. The combination with means for separat- 7 ing tobacco sections from a source of supply and superimposing them in a column, of a device for compacting said column, and mechanism for separating bunch-charges from said column, said means including members coacting to compress said sections laterally to a predetermined width prior to delivery to said column and subsequent to the separation thereof.

56. In a tobacco. feed mechanism, a tobacco said magazine in superposed relationship and with the tobacco le'av'es positioned in a planar arrangement corresponding substantially to their original planar arrangement when said conveyor is in delivery position, a movable -member for from a column of tobacco comprising, a tobacco compressing tobacco in said magazine, and means engaging and separating plate, a knife movably mounted on said plate, and means for moving said knife with a compound reciprocatory and oscillatory movement during the operation of said plate.

for separating charges of tobacco from said magazine.

57. In a tobacco feed mechanism, a tobacco feed for feeding a stream of tobacco with leaves in overlapping relation, a cutting device for outting lengths of tobacco from said stream and lengths are located when out from said stream and said conveyor is in receiving position so that leaves of each length are'in overlapping relationship, a vertical tobacco magazine, means for-ejecting said lengths from said conveyor into said magazine in superposed relationship and with the tobacco leaves positioned in a planar arrangement corresponding. substantially to their original planar arrangement when said conveyor is in delivery position, a movable member for compressing tobacco in said magazine, means for separating charges of tobacco from said magazine, and means for stopping the tobacco feed when the tobacco in said magazine reaches a predetermined volume and density.

58. The method of making cigar bunches from a compressed column of vertically superposed lengths of long filler tobacco sufficient to form several bunches and with the leaf webs of the assembled lengths lying in generally parallel planes, which consists in separating thin layer charges, each having a width several times its thickness from said column, transferring said charges substantially intact ontoa bunch rolling surface where the charge is rolled into a bunch, and supporting the top and bottom of each charge and thereby maintaining the leaf arrangement of each separated charge substantially unchanged while it is being transferred.

59. The method of making cigar bunches which comprises forming a column of superposed laminations of long filler tobacco leaves sufficient to forma plurality of bunches with the leaf webs of the superposed laminations lying in generally horizontal planes, separating thin layers of a width several times their thickness from said column along a plane generally parallel to the plane of the laminations, removing the layer substantially intact from said column and transferring it to a rolling surface, supporting the top and bottom of each cut layer during its transfer in order to maintain the leaf arrangement thereof substantially undisturbed and rolling each of saidlayers to form a cigar bunch.

JOHN F. HALSTEAD. 

